India finished its campaign at the Japan Para Badminton International 2026 in Tokyo with nine medals, comprising two gold, two silver and five bronze. Pramod Bhagat won the Men’s Singles SL3 gold after defeating compatriot U Kumar 21-16, 21-08, while Chirag Baretha and Singapore’s Wei Ming Tay claimed gold in the Men’s Doubles SU5 event.
Sukant Kadam added two silver medals, finishing runner-up in Men’s Singles SL4 and Men’s Doubles SL3-SU5 alongside Bhagat, with the latter also taking his career medal tally to 100. The five bronze medals came through performances across singles, doubles and mixed doubles, underlining the depth of India’s para badminton contingent during the September 8-13 tournament.
Bhagat Opens With Gold
Pramod Bhagat produced a composed performance to secure the Men’s Singles SL3 title in Tokyo. The former Paralympic champion defeated fellow Indian U Kumar 21-16, 21-08 in the final. Kumar started strongly and managed to establish an early advantage, but Bhagat stayed patient and gradually turned the contest in his favour. His ability to control the pace and remain composed under pressure helped him close out the match in straight games.
Bhagat later joined forces with Sukant Kadam in the Men’s Doubles SL3-SU5 event. The Indian pair reached the final but had to settle for silver after losing 5-21, 15-21 to Indonesia’s Hikmat Ramdani and Fredy Setiawan. Reflecting on his campaign, Bhagat expressed happiness at finishing with a gold and silver, while acknowledging the challenges he faced during the tournament. The results added another successful chapter to the decorated career of the six-time world champion and Tokyo Paralympic gold medallist.
Kadam Reaches 100
The tournament was particularly significant for Sukant Kadam, who reached the milestone of 100 career medals. Kadam earned the landmark achievement through his two silver-medal finishes in Tokyo. In Men’s Singles SL4, he finished runner-up to France’s Lucas Mazur, losing the final 8-21, 16-21. Kadam then partnered Bhagat in the Men’s Doubles SL3-SU5, where they secured another silver.
The achievement marks the culmination of 12 years of competitive badminton for Kadam, who has established himself as one of India’s leading para shuttlers and a consistent presence on the international circuit. Reaching 100 medals was a particularly meaningful moment for the athlete, who has previously spoken about how he never imagined achieving such a landmark when he began his para badminton journey.
Rather than treating the milestone as an endpoint, Kadam has already shifted his attention towards upcoming challenges, including the Asian Games. His journey from his early years in the sport to becoming a 100-medal athlete reflects years of discipline, setbacks, learning and sustained competition.
100 MEDALS. ONE DREAM. 12 YEARS OF BELIEF. 🏸🇮🇳
— Sukant Kadam (@sukant9993) September 11, 2026
Today, I can finally say it — I DID IT. ❤️
I made my international debut in 2014 with a dream in my heart.
In 2016, I won my first BWF Para Badminton International medal.
And today, in 2026, after years of victories, defeats,… pic.twitter.com/EYOTgG1wrh
Two Golds For India
India’s second gold came through Chirag Baretha, who partnered Singapore’s Wei Ming Tay in the Men’s Doubles SU5 event. The pair emerged victorious to add another gold to India’s tally and ensure that the country finished the Tokyo campaign with two gold medals.
Five bronze medals further strengthened the overall haul. Shashank Kumar claimed bronze in Men’s Singles WH1 and also partnered Ammu Mohan to a third-place finish in Mixed Doubles WH1-WH2. Deep Ranjan Bisoyee and Kuldeep Mahakul secured bronze in Men’s Doubles SL3-SU5, while Takar Biri and Harshit Choudhary also finished third in the same category.
Abhijeet Sakhuja completed the bronze-medal tally with a podium finish in Men’s Singles SL4. Together, these performances gave India medals across multiple classifications and formats, demonstrating the breadth of talent within the country’s para badminton contingent. The results also provided valuable competitive exposure for Indian players as they continue to target major international events.
Beyond The Medal Tally
India’s nine-medal campaign in Tokyo represents more than a collection of podium finishes. Bhagat’s gold reflects the enduring excellence of an established champion, Baretha’s doubles triumph highlights the opportunities emerging for Indian players across classifications, and Kadam’s 100-medal milestone captures the importance of perseverance over an extended sporting career.
The performances of the athletes who contributed the five bronze medals are equally significant, showing that India’s para badminton success is becoming increasingly broad-based rather than resting on a handful of established names. For athletes competing with disabilities, sustained access to professional coaching, international tournaments, equipment, financial support and high-quality sporting infrastructure can make a decisive difference. Celebrating medals is important, but building an environment where more athletes can develop, compete and remain in sport for the long term is equally necessary.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
India’s nine-medal performance in Tokyo is a celebration of talent, but it is also a reminder of the persistence required to reach the highest levels of para sport. From Bhagat continuing to win major titles to Kadam completing a remarkable 100-medal journey, these athletes demonstrate what sustained determination can achieve.
The contributions of Baretha and the five bronze-medal winners further show why India’s para sporting ecosystem must continue to expand beyond individual success stories. Greater visibility, consistent funding, accessible training facilities and opportunities to compete internationally can help ensure that promising athletes are not forced to end their journeys prematurely.
As India celebrates these achievements, how can we work together to create a sporting culture where every para athlete gets the opportunity and support to realise their potential?
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